Annual Competition 2023 - Classes and Specific Class Rules

Full details of the classes in the competition, of general rules and of class-specific rules are available here

 

2023 LBPS ANNUAL COMPETITION

CLASSES & SPECIFIC CLASS RULES

Seasoned Pipers - The Nigel Richard Trophy
Maximum 3 minutes (minimum 2 minutes). Solo on any Scottish bellows-blown pipes. Pipers over 65 years of age.

Intermediate - The Julian Goodacre Trophy
Maximum 3 minutes (minimum 2 minutes). For those who have never competed in a solo open instrumental class at any competition. Winner moves to Open the class in future LBPS competitions.

Novice - The Heriot and Allan Quaich

Maximum 2 minutes (minimum 1 minute). Maximum 2 tunes. Border or Scottish smallpipes. A Novice is defined as a player with less than two years' experience on any pipe.

New Composition – The London Trophy

Maximum 4 minutes. One tune only per competitor, played twice through.

Tune must have been composed since the last competition

Tune must be able to be played on a standard pipe (tunes outwith the standard range will be disqualified)

Tune must be played on a bellows-blown pipe

The New Composition will be played by one piper only with no other instrument. A competitor may enter someone else's composition as long as they have the composer's permission

Sheet music for new compositions must be provided prior to the class to be potentially included in Common Stock.

Duet for Piper and Singer - The Judy Barker Trophy
One piper to accompany one singer for one song.

The Skeely Piper Trophy

2023 Theme - any tune(s) with women in the title. This can be a woman's full name or partial name, e.g., 'Jenny Dang the Weaver' or 'Mrs MacPherson of Inveran'.

Border or Scottish smallpipes. The player must play tunes with a woman's name in the tiltle. Maximum 4 minutes (minimum 3 minutes). Anyone may enter.

Open solo for Scottish Smallpipes – The Colin Ross Trophy
Maximum 4 minutes (minimum 3 minutes). For anyone except those entered in Invitational, Novice, Intermediate or Seasoned Pipers classes and the winner from the previous year’s competition. However, after one year's absence, they may enter the competition in subsequent years.

Duet for pipes and other instrument - Dunfermline Tassies
Maximum 4 minutes (minimum 3 minutes). Any Scottish bellows-blown pipe played with any other instrument other than a bagpipe. Competitors may enter the Duet for Pipes and Other Instrument twice, as long as they play a different instrument with a different person the second time.

Pipe and Song - The Jimmy Wilson Memorial Cup
One piper, one song. Piper to sing whilst accompanying themselves on bellows-blown pipes.

Duet for pipes - Mains Castle Medals
Maximum 4 minutes (minimum 3 minutes). Two pipers, two sets of pipes, one of which must be Border or Scottish smallpipes. Please note that some harmony is required, and merely playing in unison will not be accepted.

Open solo for Lowland/Border pipes – The Hamish Moore Quaiche
Maximum 4 minutes (minimum 3 minutes). For anyone except those entered in Invitational, Novice, Intermediate or Seasoned Pipers classes and the winner from the previous year’s competition. However, after one year's absence, they may enter the competition in subsequent years.

 

In addition to all the above classes, The Martin Lowe Trophy is awarded to the piper who has made, in the judges’ collective opinion on the day of the Competition, the greatest contribution to Lowland and Border piping in both idiom and repertoire.

 

Overseas Class (for those unable to attend the competition)

Entries are invited from LBPS members for this class which, despite its title, is open to all members unable to get to the chosen venue on the day of the Competition.

Entries should:

• be of one member playing any Scottish bellows-blown bagpipe;
• comprise any number of tunes in one track lasting between 3 and 4 mins (A single variation set, if chosen, may be longer than 4 mins).
• ensure that tunes are representative of Lowland and/or Border tradition.

We would like entries to be submitted as a video.

How to create a YouTube channel and upload a video in 10 steps:

1) Sign into your Google account

2) Sign in to YouTube on a computer.

3) Click on your profile picture. Choose "create a channel".

4) When you’re asked to create a channel, choose personal rather than Brand.

5) Check the details (with your Google Account name and photo) and confirm to create your channel.

6) Click on the icon with your chosen picture for the channel on the top right of the YouTube screen

7) A drop down menu will appear. Choose “YouTube Studio”.

8) From the menu on the left in YouTube Studio choose “Dashboard”

9) On the top right hand of the screen, there is an arrow under the “create” button. Use this to upload the video from your hard drive.

10)  Once your video is uploaded, you’ll be asked if you want the video to be Public, Private or Unlisted. Choose Unlisted. You will then be given a link to the video that you can share by email. Only people that you share the link with will be able to see the video

11) You can then email the link to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  Please insert the following in the subject line of your email: LBPS COMPETITION 18.03.2023.

12) You will also need to complete an entry form via the website with payment for the class. 

'Overseas' entries should be submitted a clear week before the day of the competition.- by 11th March 2023.

All entrants will receive feedback by email, and those placed in the top 3 will receive a certificate. 

 

ANNUAL COMPETITION RULES - GENERAL

Except where stated, all classes are open to either Border pipes or Scottish Smallpipes.

With the exception of the Duet for Pipes and Other Instrument, Competitors will be allowed to enter the Duet competitions only once.

Sheet Music. 

Sheet music is allowed in the New Composition category. Whilst it is discouraged in other categories it will be permitted if absolutely necessary.

Tuning up.

Competitors should use the tuning room facilities in the Education Room upstairs to tune up off-stage as far as possible, and it is expected that minimum tuning will be required once they are on stage.  To assist the judge and audience, please ensure there is a gap between tuning and starting their set.

Once tuned, competitors must introduce themselves and their programme to the audience.

Timing: Time your pieces!!!

Although a 15 second overrun is permitted, points will be deducted at the rate of 5 marks per 15 seconds after this. Competitors will be disqualified for a one minute overrun. There will be a minimum time restriction for each category, with the exception of the 'New Composition Class'. This will be one minute less than the maximum, with marks deducted for under-running the same as for overruns.

Judging. 

A nominated judge will award a maximum of 50 marks for tuning, technique, musicality and appropriateness of repertoire. Players will also be judged by 5 members of the audience, who will award up to 10 marks each for overall performance and musicality.

Anyone who is closely connected to a competitor should not act as a judge for the competition in which that competitor is participating.

Recording of the event.  It is the Society's normal procedure to record this event with the potential for publishing the results on the website. Players will be asked to record their consent (or otherwise) for this on the entry form.